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Here is a simple guide to the ins and outs of domain registration. We don't claim to know everything, and this is really only an opinion. But these guidelines might save you a great deal of trouble in the long run.
CHOOSE A NAME
Mnemonics is the key to domains. Is it easy to remember by customers and associates? Is it not too difficult for customers to spell? Is it not so long that typos will be a problem?
Most common names and dictionary words have been taken. Try variations, such as adding initials or adding a regional word or town name. Just because a domain has no web site does not mean it is available. Most domain vendors have a free field for checking the availability of a domain.
CHOOSE A VENDOR
Compare prices. Because there is very little overhead for registrars, good service can co-exist with low prices.
Decide if you want to manage the domain record yourself. If so, select a registrar that has easy-to-use service tools and a way for you to retrieve your password if you lose it. Otherwise, chose a vendor you trust, with a stable business and a proven record of ethics.
Most, but not all vendors will require you to give your credit card. All vendors will encourage you to buy two years or more at a time. While registering for multiple years is helpful to all parties, it is rarely actually required.
Finally, ask yourself:
- What are the vendor’s policies if for any reason payment is not made?
- What are the penalties for renewing an expired domain, and at what point will they release the domain for registration to the general public?
- Does the registrar allow for a secondary billing contact, in case the first contact is not available?
HOW TO PROCEED
This is the easy part because this is where they collect their money. You’re on your own after that. Think long term, at least 5-10 years into the future. Select contacts that are in good health, have steady situations and are not likely to loose touch or change their e-mail or mailing addresses.
Select individuals who diligently check their e-mail, not just occasionally. If you are going to be the contact, then these are all things you need to take care of yourself.
Registrant: This is the true owner of the domain, usually the company. One person must be specified to represent the registrant, including mail, e-mail and phone for that individual.
The record will ask for a fax number. If you don’t have a fax, the phone number repeated or “NA” will usually do.
Administrative Contact: This contact is your most vital contact. Any changes to the domain will require approval of this contact. This does not have to be the same person as the Registrant.
Technical Contact: Conventionally, this is usually your host company or service provider and is useful a backup contact. Your host vendor can supply this information for you. It’s best to have a host vendor you can trust to help you with this record in a jam.
Billing Contact: This is the person primarily responsible for renewing your domain in years to come. This is a member of your company, if are managing your own records. Otherwise, it could be the vendor who is managing your domain record.
If this is not a member of your company, then you should insist on the Secondary Billing Contact as being a member of your company.
Secondary Billing Contact: This contact is useful if the Billing Contact is not a member of your company. If the Billing Contact fails to renew the domain, this person should be contacted and authorized to renew it.
Until you obtain a hosting provider, there is no need to set your name servers. Your hosting provider will be only to happy to provide you the names of his name servers.
You must enter the name servers precisely in order for them to work. Be sure to delete the name server entries from your registrar so they don’t compete with your new entries. Name server names come in the form ns.yourdomain.com, or something similar. Like all domain names, name server names are NOT case sensitive and work the same whether lower or upper case.
WAIT FOR PROPAGATION
You new web space on your newly hosted server will not be accessible via your domain until you change the name servers. Changes to your domain will take at least 48 hours to propagate across the net.
If you cannot access your new server within 3 days after setting the name servers, there is a problem. Check the syntax or spelling of your name servers. Then check with the hosting provider to ensure the site is up. Lastly, check with your own ISP to see if their DNS servers have been updated with the domain changes.
WHAT TO AVOID
Many domain registrars and hosting companies offer what is called “domain parking.” If you ask them to explain parking and its benefits, you may find it is not worth the cost.
Some vendors wrongly suppose you won’t notice when they place their names and e-mail addresses in the contact fields of your domain records. This is unethical and dangerous for you. If any vendor places their contact information in the administrative or registrant positions while your account is in good standing, you should seek to transfer to a different registrar. The new registrar or domain vendor will help you initiate the transfer.
If the e-mail address for your Administrative contact is wrong, you may not be able to change, transfer or maintain your domain. Worse, it will be difficult for the registrar to verify you as the Administrative contact.
Although the e-mail addresses on your domain record are very important, they are also heavily exposed to SPAM artists. It is advisable to use an e-mail address on your domain record that can be easily replaced. Then if the SPAM on that address becomes too offensive, you can kill it and replace it with a new one.
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